Items include
- 1 Case Studies
- 4 Podcasts
- 132 BID Newsletters
performance
Case Studies
OceanFirst Bank leveraged Profitability FIT to drive growth, optimize profitability, and enhance customer engagement. This powerful tool enabled data-driven insights and real-time decision-making to support their evolving strategy.
Podcasts
We sit down with a former regulator to explore the keys to success for CFIs. Hear insights on the importance of proactive risk management, strong communication, why involving regulators early in risk discussions is crucial, the significance of corporate governance, and more.
Intentional and successful communication are discussed with guest Alyson Van Hooser, a keynote speaker and trainer focused on multi-generational leadership. Alyson shares tips emphasizing the need for intentional communication and understanding the stories of others, and her three-step listening technique to improve and ensure the results.
NOW LIVE! In this episode of Banking Out Loud, host Sonia Portwood and industry veteran Curt Hecker, CEO of PCBB, unravel the essentials of strategic planning for community financial institutions (CFIs).
In this episode of Banking Out Loud, hear discussions on the value of performance reviews and how to effectively prepare for them with Laurie Battaglia, CEO of Aligned at Work. Laurie touches on the importance of the performance review format and frequency, shares tips for employees on how to prepare, the role of managers, the importance of continuous improvement in the performance review process and more.
RankingBanking, Bank Director’s annual roundup of top-performing US banks, evaluates banks from all asset classes based on key metrics. We reveal what makes the most successful banks stand out.
Return on Experience (ROX) is a fairly new metric for financial institutions. Yet, one survey has found it to be a powerful metric. The study found that financial institutions that grew 10% or more had stronger ROX programs than those that didn’t. We explore this new performance metric.
Community banks have many challenges these days. Hear from two of the oldest community banks, as they share lessons in longevity to inspire you.
Today we continue with the feedback we received from bankers on the most important regulatory concerns due to the coronavirus.
We recently asked community bankers for their top three regulatory concerns with COVID-19. Today is the first of a two-part series highlighting these paramount issues.
Loan growth is expected to be challenging this year. We help you whittle down some of the obstacles.
While many branches are closing, reassessing and maximizing their value based on your customers' needs is the way to go.
Consolidation is intensifying competition. We provide some practical approaches for this tough market.
Trust is incredibly important. It makes employees more productive and customers more loyal. We provide tips to help with both.
Big data is supposed to give banks' customers exactly what they need at the time they need it. Although this hasn't exactly happened yet, we are making progress
It was recently reported that immigrants to the US now make up nearly one-third of all US entrepreneurs. We provide tips on how to attract and retain this important group of business customers.
Many customers expect more than great products and services at competitive prices - they expect companies (including banks) to stand for something. Is your bank purpose-driven?
Hospitality lending can be a good niche for many community banks that do it right. There are definitely unique challenges to the sector, but with the right expertise and technology, the profit on high-yielding hotel loans can outweigh the risks.
While 33% of baby boomer business owners plan to transfer ownership within the next 5Ys, 36% have yet to figure out how that will happen. What this means for your bank.
Small business owners have given up around $43k on average in lost opportunities because of insufficient cash flow issues. Here's how your bank can help these customers.
According to the Kauffman Index, the percentage of "encore entrepreneurs" has risen to 24.3% and is the largest gain of any age group. Find out who these entrepreneurs are and how your bank could help them.
A January 10th survey of economists by the Wall Street Journal finds on average a 25% chance of a recession within the next 12 months. So, what can you do to better prepare?
A recent study found that women aren't necessarily happy with their bank. Holding 51% of personal wealth in the US, this is an important customer group to keep happy.
We explain how one bank is using smartwatches to decrease wait times and increase customer satisfaction.
Banks are starting to take financial literacy efforts to the next level. Is this something your bank should do?
Collections are a hassle for all banks for a host of reasons. Some banks are finding new ways to address this age-old issue.
According to a study by PayNet and Raddon, small businesses are eager for loans. We provide you with some insight from this report to help you win over these eager customers.
The ability to utilize e-signatures and eliminate a large amount of paper can significantly reduce time and costs. Should your bank be making this shift?
A 2018 ABA report on community bank CEO priorities reports only 17% of community banks currently offer insurance products. Could this be an opportunity for your bank?
How does the sudden rising cost of materials affect construction loans? We offer ways to mitigate this risk, as higher tariffs are absorbed into building projects.
A community bank's strength is in its customer relationships. So, it seems natural to bring up microsites, to continue enhancing and solidifying these relationships.
Mobile and branch channels can work together for bank efficiency and customer engagement. We provide some tips on how to do this.
Vendor-provided, bank-curated client offerings are still relatively new and they may sound costly. However, they could provide you with another way to engage your business customers.
An ABA survey finds 76% of community banks believe that social media is important to their bank. But, finding the right customers and converting them through social media is easier said than done.
In an era of rising costs, it can be tempting to look at an underused branch and consider reducing hours. However, you may want to consider these things before you do.
Eighty percent of surveyed respondents said that the experience with any company is as important as its products or services. How to ensure the experience of your bank customers is exceptional.
Lenders are seeing an increased demand for long-term loans. How can community banks satisfy this demand in a rising rate environment?
As competition heats up, keeping the attention of banking customers is critical. Bain & Co. provides a report on "customer episodes". We explain how these episodes may help.
Some community banks have found a way to appeal to business customers beyond the usual offerings - using mentoring/advisory services. We provide a few examples.
Could asking more questions help bankers get more business? What one recent case study shows.
The 2019 CSBS community banking survey has some valuable insights. We provide them to you today.
Although some central banks are researching and testing distributed ledger technology (DLT), there is still a lot of work to be done. We give you an update.
Data analytics offer community financial institutions an opportunity to increase customer engagement, improve profitability, and grow revenue. We take a look at some of the analytics capabilities that can deliver on this promise and give you some tips on how to build them.
Financial institution profitability does not just depend on the customer, but on your officers too. Ensuring that officer incentive plans are tied to your institution’s goals will facilitate overall performance and profitability. We give you the steps to take including designing and reviewing incentive plans, making adjustments as necessary, and using officer feedback.
Rising inflation is a hot topic these days. Bankers are watching it closely to see its effects on certain market sectors, and subsequently, on its influence on their margins. Join us as we delve into what economists are saying and how interest rates could be affected. What are the implications of these trends for community financial institutions?
Chase Bank found that 80% of surveyed respondents between 18 and 65 years of age prefer digital banking to banking in-person. As the digital age continues and community financial institutions look for digital solutions, effective vendor management will be critical for bank profitability. We bring you five vendor management strategies to help.
In 2020, 2,563 branches were lost. Branch closures seem to have accelerated with the pandemic. But, does that mean the branch is doomed? We look for the answers to this question through continuing digital engagement, bank mergers, and needed cost reductions.
While financial institutions usually focus on new customers to enhance profitability, overall profitability is a multi-dimensional process and existing customers can definitely help too.
Can Marie Kondo, the Queen of Tidying-up, provide bankers with important lessons on efficiency, performance and profitability?
Banks are switching from product-centric pricing to customer-centric pricing to help attract and retain profitable customers. We tell you how that works.
FDIC's first quarter 2018 banking profile includes a breakout on community bank performance. We provide you with the highlights.
Making banking operations more efficient is a key part of improving a CFI’s bottom line. Financial institutions should use structured simplification to streamline operations and improve ROI.
In the wake of the ongoing talent shortage across the country, outsourcing has become increasingly popular as companies struggle to find qualified candidates. In 2020 alone, nearly 70% of businesses turned to outsourcing. Though outsourcing may not be for everyone, the changing nature of work has made it a more appealing option that CFIs may want to consider — we go into detail.
Time wasters may not seem like a big deal, but they can add up to thousands of dollars a month. Executives spend almost five hours per day in meetings, and if any of those are unnecessary on a regular basis, you can imagine the price tag. Now is a good time to review your schedule for 2022 knowing these four time wasters.
In 2019, American businesses lost $399B due to unnecessary and poorly run meetings. Some tips to steer clear of lost productivity from meetings: examining types of work, leveraging technology, visual aids in meetings, and alignment to goals.
Fifty-four percent of privately held financial institutions do not conduct board evaluations at all. We explain why they are important.
We have covered succession planning best practices before. Today, we provide you with some good examples of succession planning efforts that your institution may find helpful.
Now that rates are rising, banks need to be effective in growing inexpensive deposits. Some tips for community banks to consider.
By effectively analyzing data that banks already collect, they can improve operations and find patterns that point toward profitable solutions like tailored services.
Today, 40% of customers say they would prefer video for doing at least one financial activity, according to Forrester. We review how some institutions are using video to keep these customer happy.
A robust data privacy program is key for all financial institutions. We explain how it can be a competitive tool as well.
Even though diversity and inclusion assessments are voluntary, it may be time to be proactive. We explain why.
A new joint regulatory statement encourages financial institutions to use innovative approaches to BSA/AML compliance. We break it down for you.
All banks are trying to fine-tune the onboarding process. We provide some creative ideas from community banks.
The latest FDIC performance report showed strong numbers for community banks. However, doing more of the same may not be the best course of action.
In our new BID feature, "Inquiry and Insight", we provide questions from readers and bankers and do our best to give you relevant, insightful answers.
If you are like most community banks, communicating your appetite for risk consistently is a challenge. How can you ensure consistency in loan pricing at your bank?
Costs associated with branch networks are in the range of $600k to $2mm per year. Is it time to do a sanity check on your branch costs?
There are many challenges ahead. Yet, when it comes to the top ones, banks are in agreement. We address the top three to start you on the right course in 2019.
Community banks outperformed middle-size and large banks for total loan growth in 75% of the regions measured during Q2, according to Trepp Bank Navigator. We provide the key insights.
M&A deals dropped 56% last year. So, how do things look in 2021 for bank M&A? We provide highlights from the Bank Director’s 2021 M&A Survey to give you the answer and cover: who’s in the market, the status of technology acquisitions, expectations for a recovery, and thoughts on deal opportunities.
Bank M&A hit a low point this year. Yet, it is expected to ramp up in 2021. We review the M&A landscape.
While the slower pace of M&A deals in Q4 2019 may be an omen for what is to come in 2020, the urge to merge remains strong. Is M&A still worthwhile?
Regional and community banks are definitely feeling pressure to consolidate these days. But, should you give in to this pressure?
What is the current outlook on M&A? To acquire or be acquired - is that the question?
According to a Barlow Research Associates Flash Panel, small business customers appreciate it when their bank proactively offers solutions. How to best do that as customer needs change.
Marketing automation is a dominant theme with banks, as efficiencies are sought. Some tips to start your bank's marketing automation.
89% of full-time employees have reportedly experienced burnout since the start of the pandemic. Community financial institutions have a pressing responsibility to uncover the root causes behind their employees’ stress and anxiety and help reduce burnout. We discuss the continuing effects of the pandemic on labor and provide solutions for employee retention.
While small talk around the water cooler has been around for decades, the pandemic has reduced the opportunity for that exchange. Yet, it is still important to encourage small talk as it promotes connection, performance, and innovation while it fights Zoom fatigue. We give you three ways to build small talk into the work week so that you can keep your teams connected and strong through the transition to normalcy.
While productivity doesn’t seem greatly affected by the dramatic shifts necessary due to the pandemic, employees still face challenges in the current environment. Helping them through some of these challenges, including stress, time management, and social withdrawal, will help them stay engaged and committed and keep productivity levels high.
While the BID takes a rest for the holidays, we revisit some of 2020's most popular articles.
While the BID takes a rest for the holidays, we revisit some of 2020's most popular articles.
We provide the findings and our insights from a new report on the economic recovery for commercial banks, to help with your strategic planning.
Absent the traditional summer happy hours and social outings that employees typically enjoy together, you will want to think creatively to keep your employees connected. We provide you with five ways to do that.
Fallout from the coronavirus has many financial institutions gearing up for divestments, according to a recent survey. Is divestment an option for your institution?
Meetings are even more vital with a greater number of remote workers, but they can also be more challenging. We provide you with a guide to remote meeting management.
With COVID-19, many more employees are working from home. We provide you with tips for managing an expanded remote team and ways to smooth the disruptions.
We reviewed bank surveys from Ovum and Promontory Interfinancial, and provide you with the highlights to consider during your strategic planning.
Don't just automate tasks to make your customers' lives easier — automate your institution’s back-office operations as well. Not only will you create more efficiencies, reduce errors and save costs, but you will also free up your employees for higher-level tasks. You can also better coordinate with the sophisticated automated solutions you’re offering to customers. We delve further and offer three tips to get you started.
CFIs' relationships with their core providers tend to last for decades, if only because a change is such a hassle. If you do need to make a core conversion, however, here’s how to do it with the least possible pain.
Key ingredients make a top-performing CFI. We share a number of them, from finding lucrative lending niches and additional sources of income, to maintaining a lean outfit and nurturing your most valuable asset: your talent.
In October 2021, 74% of Americans said that stress was affecting them. Even now, there are still many people that are stressed and burned out. This has resulted in employee disengagement and lower productivity. Our Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, Sonia Portwood, discussed this issue with Dr. Susan Bernstein in our podcast, Mind, Body & Banking. Here are some highlights.
The Great Resignation has hit all industries, including the financial industry. With the high cost of employee turnover, even community financial institutions need to be proactive in retaining staff. We share four strategies that your peers are finding helpful to successfully combat employee turnover and keep staff happy.
Core providers may not be the first thing that community financial institutions think of when looking for ways to innovate for their customers. However, core providers can prove to be helpful partners as you develop and manage innovative solutions. Here are four considerations to tap into all that your core has to offer.
Eighty percent of company leaders say they will allow at least part-time remote work after the pandemic. If your institution is considering some remote work roles, it is important to facilitate productivity and collaboration across all employees to level the playing field. We provide three elements to maintain high team performance: access and visibility; attention and support, and pre-emptive planning.
Employee diversity can provide community financial institutions with many benefits. It can increase employee engagement, improve business performance, and allow for greater connections with a changing customer base. We give you some ways to increase your employee diversity.
Working remotely is the "new normal." We provide findings and insight into how to adapt your performance reviews.
In a recent survey from Harvard Business Review and Google Cloud, 89% of executives around the world cite collaboration as a critical factor in the success of any business. Does your institution promote collaboration?
With all the focus on artificial intelligence, it can be easy to overlook a far simpler but effective cousin: automation. Today, we look at how automation (then AI) can help your institution.
Most community financial institutions have bountiful customer information. But, it is oftentimes stored in multiple silos. To stay competitive, this must change.
Team building activities are popular, but rather ineffective. You may want to give social network analysis a try instead.
Today, we look back at the major events in 2019, while looking ahead at the economic landscape for 2020.
Data aggregation is growing quickly, especially in the banking industry. Is your institution prepared?
Google discovered that managers, who are able to empower their employees without micromanaging, help their employees be more efficient and productive. We provide the seven steps to do this.
Sometimes even the best boards get out of balance, with one or two voices dominating. We give you ways to prevent and remedy this situation.
Board meeting structure is often a given. But, maybe it is time to review it for the best ROI.
We calculate the cost of board meetings to help bankers understand if you could be getting more bang for your meeting bucks.
When it comes to work, it turns out that giving people more freedom can foster greater productivity and creativity among employees. We review some options for community banks.
Faced with high childcare costs, many working parents are forced to take drastic measures. What your bank can do to retain these employees and keep them happy.
Ghosting has made its way into the workplace. Ways to prevent it from happening at your bank.
Competition is not only vying for community bank customers, but also for employees, managers, executives and key players across the board. We have some ideas to help.
In an interesting twist, bankers might want to take a page from Walmart's playbook when it comes to helping train new employees for the demands of the job.
In banking, teleworking can give you more flexibility, reduce the need for physical space, and help you increase resilience during a natural disaster. What banks need to know about teleworking.
Wellness programs are an increasingly important employee benefit. We give you the lay of the land.
People expect their banks to operate more like leading technology companies. But, many banks still fall short of these expectations. A Deloitte survey uncovers the gaps and suggests what banks can do to improve.
Taxpayers are now filing their first returns under the new tax law, and companies are realizing how it affects their taxes and their business. We provide a comparison of the two types of incorporations.
Having quality employees who are invested in the success of your business is crucial for community banks. Attracting the right employees is not enough, though.
When it comes to banking performance, it makes sense to set goals and use metrics to track achievement. However, this is easier said than done.
In an effort to get an ongoing pulse on the nation's community banks, the CSBS is creating a sentiment index. We tell you what this will measure and how it can be used.
A recent consumer poll finds 86% expect their banks to provide them with seamless service. We provide some ways that community banks can do this.
Artificial intelligence early adopters have much to share on their learnings. We give you the highlights.
Deposit growth is a top priority for banks, and appealing to millennials may be a way to do it. But, this can be tricky too.
There are good reasons for many written and unwritten business rules bankers follow. The hitch comes when we follow those rules blindly, without examination. We examine "best practices" more closely.
Only 16% of all bank boards of directors include a director who is age 40 or younger. We explain why the right age mix is important for a bank's performance.
Various surveys provide insight into employees' salaries and job satisfaction. Some of the results are surprising.
With a new CA law going into effect, you may want to boost the proportion of women on your board, even if your bank isn't in CA. We provide you with some things to consider.
While subordinated debt may not be right for some community banks, others may want to consider it. We provide some helpful information to consider.
CEOs have huge demands on their time. A new HBR survey provides some insightful tips for bank executives to help solve the ongoing challenge of effective time management.
One Gallup survey found workers 21 to 37Ys old were 3x more likely to change jobs than older workers. How can community bankers stem this flow?
As bank technology ages, many community bankers are faced with a decision: what should you do about your core? We have some options for you.
Banks are being forced to consider how long is too long for a board member. The average board member age is currently 63.6 years. We shed some light on this topic.
The odds have soared for community banks seeking capital from investors. We give you the lay of the land.
Seventy percent of bankers say their legacy systems cannot adapt quickly enough when customers want the latest functionality. We cover some options.
According to JD Power, 75% of US retail bank customers polled say they are interested in receiving financial advice from their bank. However, just 28% are currently receiving any. Insights from this study to consider with your customers.
There are useful lessons that can be learned from Amazon, even for community banks. We lay them out for you.
Workplace sensors are efficient cost-cutting tools and can even boost productivity. What community banks can learn.